It’s been nearly a decade since the original Zootopia was released in 2016. I’m surprised that it took this long for the sequel to come out, given that the original was a critical and commercial success. It earned over $1 billion internationally (with a budget of $150 million) and won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It proved to be worth the wait as the buddy comedy, a rabbit and a fox who team up to solve crime, is just as fun as the first one.

In the first movie, rookie cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) teamed up with con artist Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) to crack a big conspiracy. Now, Nick has joined the force as the first fox officer, and they’re partners at the ZPD. Once again, Judy’s astute observations reveal another conspiracy involving a mysterious pit viper named Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan). Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) sends the duo on a crucial mission that requires them to go undercover in new areas of town, which turn out to be even more dangerous than they expected.

Jared Bush and Byron Howard join forces to direct this sequel, with Bush taking on the role of the sole screenwriter. The script is just as clever and entertaining, if not better. It kicks off with a lot of energy and keeps that momentum going, thanks to the fantastic chemistry of its dynamic duo, Judy and Nick, which is what really makes the buddy comedy shine.

What I really enjoy about Zootopia is that it’s not just another animated musical that randomly breaks into song. The sequel follows this trend too, and the writers broaden its universe beyond the city while also bringing in some fresh characters. Two standout locations are the Marsh Market district, home to the hidden reptile community, and a snowy mountain area, where the main characters meet a couple of mountain goats sporting green lederhosen, ha!

The first film skillfully mixes in themes of common stereotypes and prejudice while still keeping the animated adventure fun. While the first movie kept me guessing throughout, this time I find it a bit predictable. What the sequel does really well, however, is expand on the original’s social message, even diving into the hot-button topic of historical erasure and how those in power (the influential Lynxley family) hide past wrongs done to marginalized groups (the reptiles).

Considering its release over Thanksgiving weekend, the allegory about settler colonialism is particularly relevant right now. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get kids thinking about these important issues that still matter in our world today, all without making them feel like they’re being lectured or preached at.

The voice cast is impressive all around. Goodwin and Bateman are fantastic, really bringing their animal characters to life. David Strathairn is an inspired choice for Milton Lynxley, the patriarch of one of the oldest families in Zootopia. Mayor Winddancer, voiced by Patrick Warburton, the former action star horse with a muscular build and a Fabio-like mane, is quite hilarious. Quan and Samberg also shine in this already amazing cast.

Every year, there are tons of animated films, and the standout ones manage to charm both kids and adults. Just like live-action films, animation needs a solid story, well-crafted characters, and immersive world-building to succeed. Zootopia 2 excels in all these areas, and its meticulous attention to detail is a major highlight.

The creators clearly had a blast coming up with clever references and animal-themed puns, such as the Burning Mammal Festival (a twist on Burning Man), and EweTube, where a cheerful beaver called Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster) runs a conspiracy theory podcast. I find myself laughing constantly, even short scenes like the ‘Hey, bub’ greeting exchange between Nibbles and a walrus plumber/ferry skipper named Russ (David VanTuyle) had me in stitches.

The animation and visual effects are top-notch, as one would expect from Disney, and the pacing is lively, keeping kids engaged throughout. The character design is fantastic; I really adore Judy’s appearance, especially her cute bunny ears. At one moment, Judy puts her long ears up in a French bun for a black-tie Zootennial Gala, and Nick jokingly pokes fun at her for it. This is the second Disney animated film released this year, following Elio, which I also found to be really enjoyable. I believe both have a solid shot at receiving nominations for Best Animation at the Oscars.

This sequel is totally wild in the best way possible, filled with hilarious animal jokes, gags, and puns, all while avoiding silly, pointless antics. Even though a lot is happening in the last 10 minutes, I really dig the ending that brings the spotlight back to the friendship between Judy and Nick. At its heart, Zootopia 2 shares a touching and emotional tale about friendship and reminding the people we care about that they really matter.

Have you seen ‘Zootopia 2’? Well, what did you think?
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